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TORONTO – The phone rang in early December with good news waiting on the line.
Charlie Batch Jersey . Job security had been
rather tenuous at that point for Will Acton. “Well in the hockey world whenever
the coaches or management tell you to get a place thats when you know youre
going to be around,” said Acton, a humble native of Stouffville, Ontario. He
answered his phone that day and it was a call from Dallas Eakins, the Marlies
head coach. “It was a day off and he called my cell phone and he said Hey, youve
played well, youve earned a spot on my team so get yourself a place and get out
of that stinking hotel,” recalled Acton of the conversation with Eakins. “It was
certainly a moment Im probably going to remember for a long time.” Living out of
a suitcase in a downtown Toronto hotel up until then, Acton had been admittedly
fraught with the stress and imbalance of an uncertain hockey future. Snatching
the singular grain of a five-game tryout upon his exit from Lake Superior State
University, the 25-year-old had earned himself a job with old-school work ethic,
hockey smarts and a knack for the defensive game. The six-foot-two pivot rapidly
evolved into an anchor of the Marlies shutdown line alongside fellow upstarts
Jerry DAmigo and Greg Scott. “Ever since Will got in hes had this quality about
him,” said Scott thoughtfully. “It seems like hes got a little fire under him
and he wants to get after it. “He doesnt want to be on the bottom of the totem
pole, he just wants to keep climbing.” “When you get a moment where you assert
yourself in a certain role and you feel like you assert yourself on the team
[and] they tell you to get a place, thats obviously really a good feeling to
reflect,” said Acton. “But that passes pretty quickly. You come to the rink and
theres people behind you playing well and people ahead of you playing well and
youve got to be on top of your game at all times; thats our job as a pro. Just
comes with the territory.” Inked to a one-year deal with the organization in
late July, Acton finds himself in a considerably more secure place this fall,
returning as an underrated cog in the Marlies quest to make good on the Calder
Cup which eluded them last season. But for whatever security hes been afforded
this time around Acton has no active plans to ditch the work and settle in. He
even kept his summer job at the Sleepy Hollow Country Club, pitching in as he
has since age 14 from time to time this past offseason. “Some of us in the
minors arent making the big cheques that everyone might think,” he said with a
grin. “Everyones dream is to play in the NHL, but for now youve got to do what
youve got to do and I have no problems doing that.” Five Points 1. Acton boasts
a personal motto of onward and upward, refusing to become complacent after his
climb to an American League job last season. “Im where I am right now, Im
grateful, but at the same time none of that really ever leaves you in
professional sports, your spots always up for grabs,” he said. “Theres always
people coming in behind you trying to take your job and its your responsibility
to try to always improve upon what youre doing and thats what Im trying to do.”
2. Of Actons ongoing work at the golf course this past summer, Scott smiled and
said, “Thats kind of rare to see. I guess it means hes got a good golf game
then.” He then added of Actons work ethic in a more serious manner, “I think
that comes from where he came from. His dad was a hard worker and it just
translates right down to Willie.” Will is the son of former NHL player and
long-time Leafs assistant coach, Keith Acton. 3. Korbinian Holzer was expected
to make the jump to the Leafs at some point this season, but remains with the
Marlies with the lockout continuing to loom. “Im happy I can play down here
instead of sitting at home and just skating by myself,” he said. “I think this
league will be a lot better than last year competition-wise and player-wise;
theres a lot of skill coming down from the NHL who are established players in
the NHL. Its a good learning curve for you and if the season should start at
some point its a nice way to get ready for it.” 4. If Dallas Eakins had just one
gripe at the moment it would be the shortened preseason schedule. The Marlies
played just two games – both wins against Hamilton over the course of three
nights – leaving little time for a comprehensive roster evaluation. “I just wish
for the kids that we wouldve had more exhibition games,” said Eakins. “I wish
that NHL season wouldve been going so these guys wouldve played a couple NHL
exhibition games or at least got in one and then they come down and play in a
couple more and I get to see them against better players.” 5. Eakins is
currently icing a roster that includes five forwards lines, eight defencemen and
three goaltenders. The group will stay intact through the weekend, but could
change in short order if injuries are minimal and the lockout continues. “I cant
have these guys sitting and not playing,” said Eakins of those players slated to
be extras when the regular season kicks off against Rochester on Saturday. “Its
just not healthy for anybody. Thats when we would try to re-evaluate it and
maybe send them out to play somewhere.” Ike
Taylor Jersey . —Linebackers Curtis Lofton and David Hawthorne
represented two of the Saints most important acquisitions in free agency and
quickly took over starting roles in their first preseason with New Orleans. Mike Wallace Jersey . Taking on the reigning
Cup holders from England on their home ground, Canadas women put in their
strongest performance of the tournament to date, matching the physicality of a
bigger English team and showing their speed in the wide channels of the larger
Twickenham field. http://www.steelersroom.com/antonio-brown-jersey
. A 15-game winner in 32 starts last season, Romero was 8-1 this year after a
12-5 win at Miami on June 22, but has since dropped a remarkable 12 straight
decisions across 13 starts in which Toronto is 1-12. Cameron Heyward Jersey .C. —With family and
friends looking on, Greg Scott put in the finest post-season performance of his
American Hockey League career. Casey Hampton Jersey . The game will also be
the first this season played with the NFLs regular officiating crews after the
league and the officials union finally reached a tentative eight-year agreement
to end a lockout that began in June.One of the most epic and thrilling nights in
the 12-year history of the Maximum Fighting Championship is coming to TSN2. MFC
33: Collision Course will air on TSN2 on Saturday, June 9 at 4:30pm et/1:30pm pt
and is sure to be an unforgettable experience of world-class fighters who put
everything theyve got on the line. The MFC 33 card features the impressive
performance put on by newly crowned MFC welterweight champion Nathan “Soul
Force” Coy in his quest for the title against home-town hero Ryan “The Kid”
McGillivray. Collision Course also gives mixed martial arts fans across Canada
the opportunity to make their own judgment on the highly controversial showdown
between former U. Shaun Suisham Jersey. S. Marine Adam Lynn and
“The Afrikan Assassin” Mukai Maromo. The outcome, which left many in disbelief,
has already resulted in an immediate rematch slated for MFC 34 on August 10 –
and this time with the MFC lightweight title at stake. MFC 33 also showcased the
long-awaited return of accomplished judo/jiu-jitsu practitioner Luke Harris,
plus the fiery clash between former hockey enforcer Derek “The Lion” Parker and
Jared “The Yeti” McComb. This was one of the most memorable nights ever for the
Maximum Fighting Championship, and fans will be riveted from start to finish.
Dont miss MFC 33: Collision Course on TSN2. ’ ’ ’